The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-31
THE WHOLESALE TRADE.
A Marked Increase in Profits and in the
Volume of Business.

A Marked Increase in Profits and in the
Volume of Business.
A review of the wholesale trade shows a most
gratifying increase in the volume of business
IL has exceeded that of all previous years and is
regarded by the merchants as an indication OF
substantial enterprise and growth. Firm prices
have prevailed throughout the year and collec-
TONS until the last months, have never
been satisfactory. Year by year they have
been gradually tightening the credit strings up
the retail trade. In addition to this discounts
have been offered for cash payments The re-
suit has been to educate buyers towards
trading a cash basis, and much
of the difficulty of previous years in regard to
collections has been Buyers who
show persistency in not meeting their obliga-
tions have been forced to trade elsewhere. The
only complaint that arises this year grows out
of the failure Of southern Indiana and Illinois
corn crops, which causes some apprehension
garding the trade next year The general feel
ing among wholesale men in different lines of
trade, well as estimates regarding the years
business, gathered in interviews by Journal re-
porters, is given briefly below:
GRoCERs-Opinions of the wholesale grocers
differ somewhat as to the increase in the volume
of their business in 1887, but average esti-
mate makes 1t about y per cent over last year.
This increase has been attended with prompt
settlements and has withal made prosperous
year. rolling mp the volume of business to
sc, 800, 900. This estimate includes the trade in
coffees and spices, branch of business that has
grown wonderfully here in the last few years,
and Is making great inroad upon the bu siness
of Eastern dealers.
Dry GooDs-Next to the wholesale grocers
in the volume of business transacted the
wholesale dry goods merchants. During the
past year the Gales have piled up to ST. 900. 600,
increase of 10 per cent. over the previous
year. In the matter of collections it is stated
that they were gilt-edge until within the last
two months, when the failure of the corn crop
in the southern part of the State began to be
felt. Beyond the temporary slowness In making
payments thus occasioned the years trade has
been one of the greatest satisfaction.
MILLINERS- Although there but two
wholesale dealers in millinery in the city, they
are making indianapolis center for their bust
among Western cities. The past year has
been one of great prosperity and marked the ex-
tension of their trade into new fields. large
increase of unsolicited orders is also TO be noted.
The style for higher priced goods has also done
much to swell the volume of trade 81, 600, 900,
an increase over last year of 10 per The
collections have been good, and the close of the
year marks period of prosperity unequaled in
their history.
LEATHER DEALERs-With the leather dealers
the past year has been ono of unqualified pros
perity, and their business has increased 10 per
cent Steady prices have ruled and collections
have been good. The estimated volume of trade
has been $500. 600.
Toy DEALERs-In the toy, as we'll as MILL
merry business Indianapolis has taken promi-
nent position Such establishments those of
kipp Bros and Chas. Mayer & Co not
equaled in Chicago. Cincinnati, or St. Louis
and buyers from those cities came here during
the past season to leave their orders Within
the last year their sales aggregated nearly ST.,
000 000 making increase over the previous
year of % per cent.
LIQUOR DEALERs-In this business there is
large increase The sales have been p cent.
heavier than last year. aggregating 500. 600. It
has been the most successful year in the history
of the trade. Payments have been prompt
Doors AND SHoEs-More than any previous
year have the wholesale dealers in boots and
shoes baen patronized during the past year by
the local retail trade. This constitutes 3 feature
that the wholesale merchants speak of with
pride indicating il does. their growing ability
20 successfully compete with the large firms of
other cities. An increase of Il per cent.
the business of last year is the result of solid
growth, since but few additional have
been out to work mp new territory. Collections
have been up to the average of previous years,
and but little CAUSE for complaint exists. The
volume of business transacted during the past
year is placed at 81. 250, 600.
Notwithstanding additional competi-
ton in the field, the volume of business trans
acted by Indianapolis Wholesale druggists has
increased 20 per cent, making the estimate OF
gross sales about 81. 500, 000 TIE profitable
character of the retail drug business enables
those engaged in it to meet, with more than